Ming Xianling Mausoleum
明显陵
The joint tomb of the parents of the Jiajing Emperor. Its “one tomb, two mounds” layout is unique in China. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national 5A-level scenic area.
The Ming Xianling Mausoleum is on Songlin Mountain, northeast of Zhongxiang city. It is the joint tomb of the father of the Jiajing Emperor (Ming Shizong), Prince Xingxian Zhu Youjian, and his mother, Lady Jiang. It was originally a princely tomb, but after Jiajing ascended the throne it was expanded to imperial standards. The outer walls are about 3.6 km in circumference. The Nine-Bend Imperial River, the Dragon-Scale Spirit Way, the glazed screen wall and the unique “one tomb, two mounds” layout make it a rare example among Ming imperial tombs. In 2000, it was added to the World Heritage List as an extension of the “Ming and Qing Imperial Mausoleums” site.
Admission is about 70 yuan, subject to change on site. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the visit. The site is large, so you can take an electric cart. It is about 5 km from the city centre, easy to reach by taxi, and can be combined with Mochou Village on the same day.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:30